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By Louis de Villiers - Rapport
Cape Town – Stefan Terblanche may be turning 34 in July, but on current form he’s the best man to play fullback for South Africa in the series against the British and Irish Lions.
His Test career started in explosive fashion in 1998 when he scored four tries against Ireland in Bloemfontein.
However, he says Springbok colours are not in the back of his mind when he plays.
“It’s not the huge thing it was in your younger days. Of course it will be fantastic to be able to play for South Africa again, especially with a special occasion like the Lions tour. But you put added pressure on yourself about it when you’re younger,” he said.
“I believe I still have 2 to 3 seasons of first class rugby left in me and would just like to do my best. Playing for the Springboks will be a bonus.”
Terblanche believes he is now a better player than the one that went to Wales to play club rugby for the Ospreys in Swansea.
“Maybe it’s just because I’m playing fullback again. I started there for Boland before being moved to the wing years ago,” he said.
“The added space and time perhaps suits me better. I was very happy with the coaching I got in Wales. Sean Holley, who is head coach of the Ospreys these days, was the assistant there and helped me a lot.
“My skills improved and I learned new things. They believe in a lot of personal attention there.”
Should Terblanche make the Bok side this year – and South African coach Peter de Villiers has already stated that he will be considered – Wales would have been the spark for the revival of the careers of two Springbok fullbacks.
Percy Montgomery also came back refreshed from the Gwent Dragons.
If form is the yardstick, Terblanche is set to travel down the same path.
Cape Town – Stefan Terblanche may be turning 34 in July, but on current form he’s the best man to play fullback for South Africa in the series against the British and Irish Lions.
His Test career started in explosive fashion in 1998 when he scored four tries against Ireland in Bloemfontein.
However, he says Springbok colours are not in the back of his mind when he plays.
“It’s not the huge thing it was in your younger days. Of course it will be fantastic to be able to play for South Africa again, especially with a special occasion like the Lions tour. But you put added pressure on yourself about it when you’re younger,” he said.
“I believe I still have 2 to 3 seasons of first class rugby left in me and would just like to do my best. Playing for the Springboks will be a bonus.”
Terblanche believes he is now a better player than the one that went to Wales to play club rugby for the Ospreys in Swansea.
“Maybe it’s just because I’m playing fullback again. I started there for Boland before being moved to the wing years ago,” he said.
“The added space and time perhaps suits me better. I was very happy with the coaching I got in Wales. Sean Holley, who is head coach of the Ospreys these days, was the assistant there and helped me a lot.
“My skills improved and I learned new things. They believe in a lot of personal attention there.”
Should Terblanche make the Bok side this year – and South African coach Peter de Villiers has already stated that he will be considered – Wales would have been the spark for the revival of the careers of two Springbok fullbacks.
Percy Montgomery also came back refreshed from the Gwent Dragons.
If form is the yardstick, Terblanche is set to travel down the same path.
